Inflow control device with preferential fluid restriction

ABSTRACT

An inflow control device (ICD) includes an inlet, an outlet spaced from the inlet, and a flapping member arranged between the inlet and the outlet. The flapping member is responsive to vortex induced vibrations to selectively exclude at least one fluid from passing through the outlet.

BACKGROUND

In the resource recovery industry inflow control devices (ICD's) are employed to allow formation fluids to pass from a wellbore into a production tubular. Typically, the ICD is arranged in or near a screen system which traps particles that may be entrained in the formation fluids. Many inflow control devices include choking systems that are controlled by operators. The choking systems are designed to reduce an inflow of non-selected fluids, such as water, with selected fluids, such as oil. Manually controlling chokes is a complicated process requiring a communication link that is coupled to each inflow control device, sensors to detect parameters of the fluid and may be slow to respond. Accordingly, companies would welcome an autonomous system for choking fluids passing into an ICD.

SUMMARY

Disclosed is an inflow control device (ICD) including an inlet, an outlet spaced from the inlet, and a flapping member arranged between the inlet and the outlet. The flapping member is responsive to vortex induced vibrations to selectively exclude at least one fluid from passing through the outlet.

Also disclosed is a resource exploration and recovery system including a surface system, and a sub-surface system including a tubular string fluidically connected to the surface system. The tubular string includes an inflow control device (ICD) that restricts inflow of one fluid in preference for another fluid. The ICD includes an inlet, an outlet spaced from the inlet, and a flapping member arranged between the inlet and the outlet. The flapping member is responsive to vortex induced vibrations to selectively exclude at least one fluid from passing through the outlet.

Further disclosed is a method of passing a selected fluid from an inlet to an outlet of an inflow control device (ICD) including passing a non-selected fluid into the inlet of the ICD, flowing the non-selected fluid over a flapping member positioned downstream of the inlet, inducing a vortex induced vibration of the flapping member with the non-selected fluid, and pivoting the flapping member at a selected frequency to inhibit the non-selected fluid passing to the outlet of the ICD.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following descriptions should not be considered limiting in any way. With reference to the accompanying drawings, like elements are numbered alike:

FIG. 1 depicts a resource exploration and recovery system including an inflow control device (ICD), in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 depicts a tubular supporting a screen system having the ICD, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 3 depicts a partial cross-sectional view of the ICD, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 4 depicts a cross-sectional view of the ICD, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment; and

FIG. 5 depicts a partial view of the ICD, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and method are presented herein by way of exemplification and not limitation with reference to the Figures.

A resource exploration and recovery system, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment, is indicated generally at 10, in FIG. 1. Resource exploration and recovery system 10 should be understood to include well drilling operations, completions, resource extraction and recovery, CO₂ sequestration, and the like. Resource exploration and recovery system 10 may include a first system 14 which, in some environments, may take the form of a surface system 16 operatively and fluidically connected to a second system 18 which, in some environments, may take the form of a subsurface or downhole system (not separately labeled).

First system 14 may include a control system 23 that may provide power to, monitor, communicate with, and/or activate one or more downhole operations as will be discussed herein. Surface system 16 may include additional systems such as pumps, fluid storage systems, cranes and the like (not shown). Second system 18 includes a work string 30 which may be formed from one or a system of interconnected tubulars such as indicated at 32. Work string 30 extends into a wellbore 34 formed in a formation 36. Wellbore 34 includes an annular wall 42 which may be defined by a casing tubular 44 that may be spaced from a surface (not separately labeled) of formation 36 by an amount of cement (not shown).

A packer 50 is positioned in wellbore 34. Packer 50 defines a resource recovery zone 52. Another packer (not shown) may be positioned downhole of packer 50. A production tubular 54 may extend from packer 50 downhole through resource recovery zone 52. Production tubular 54 may include one or more screen systems such as indicated at 58 that capture debris or other particulate that may be entrained in fluids passing into production tubular 54. Screen system 58 includes an inflow control device (ICD) 60 that provides a passage that is allows passage of a selected fluid into production tubular 54. At this point, it should be understood that the number of packers positioned along wellbore 34 may vary. Further, the number of screen systems in each resource recovery zone may vary.

Referring to FIG. 2 and with continued reference to FIG. 1, production tubular 54 includes an outer surface 70 and an inner surface 72 that defines a flow bore 74. A screen 78 is provided at outer surface 70. Screen 78 is connected to production tubular 54 through a shroud 80. Screen 78 and shroud 80 are spaced from outer surface 70 by a flow channel 82 having an opening 84. With this arrangement, screen 78 defines an inlet (not separately labeled) into flow channel 82 while opening 84 defines an outlet (also not separately labeled) that leads to flow bore 74. As shown in FIG. 3, flow channel 82 includes a first side wall 86, a second side wall 88, a base wall 90 which may be defined by outer surface 70 of production tubular 54 and an outer wall 92 which may be defined by an inner surface (not separately labeled) of shroud 80.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a flapping member 100 is pivotally mounted in flow channel 82 between screen 78 and opening 84. Flapping member 100 is supported between first side wall 86 and second side wall 88. In an embodiment, flapping member 100 includes a first side 106, a second side 108 and an outer surface 112. Flapping member 100 includes a rounded leading edge 114 that is exposed to a fluid flow and a valve portion 116 that may selectively block or shield opening 84 so as to choke fluid flow into flow bore 74. A first pin 120 projects outwardly relative to first side 106 and extends into first side wall 86. A second pin 122 projects outwardly relative to second side 108 and extends into second side wall 88. Flapping member 100 may pivot about an axis that extends through first pin 120 and second pin 122.

In an embodiment, flapping member 100 may be supported between first side wall 86 and second side wall 88 through a corresponding first spring member 128 and a second spring member 130. First and second spring members 128 and 130 bias flapping member to a neutral position that provides a generally unobstructed flow path between screen 78 and opening 84. The term “generally unobstructed” should be understood to describe that while flapping member 100 extends across flow channel 82, selected production fluids readily pass into opening 84.

In accordance with an exemplary aspect, flapping member 100 is designed to respond to fluids passing through flow channel 82. Selected fluids, such as oil, flow into rounded leading edge 114 across valve portion 116 and through opening 84. Non-selected fluids, such as water, cause flapping member 100 to oscillate at a selected frequency thereby acting as a choke. More specifically, vortex induced vibrations (VIV) caused by the non-selected fluid contacting founded leading edge 114 cause flapping member to pivot at the selected frequency. Valve portion 116 covers opening 84 at the selected frequency creating an impediment in flow channel 82 that blocks or chokes the flow of the non-selected fluid.

VIV are affected by fluid density (viscosity). That is fluid with a first density flowing onto rounded leading edge 114 may cause VIV of flapping member 100 while fluids at a second density flowing onto rounded leading edge 114, will produce little if any VIV allowing spring members 128 and 130 to maintain flapping member 100 in the neutral position. Thus, in an embodiment, flapping member 100 is designed to respond to water having a known density by inducing VIV flapping member. Further, flapping member 100 is designed to have little or no response to a flow of oil, having a density different than the known density of water, hitting rounded leading edge 114. In this manner, flapping member 100 allows oil to flow toward opening 84 while choking water flow.

In another embodiment depicted in FIG. 5, spring member 128 may include a first tang 133 that engages first side wall 86 and a second tang 135 that engages with first side 106. With this arrangement spring member 128 both supports and defines the pivot axis for flapping member 100. It should be understood, that with such an arrangement, second spring member 130 would be similarly constructed. Further, while each spring member 128, 130 is shown to be exposed to flow, another arrangement may house spring members in the side walls of the flow channel of the sides of the flapping member. Still further flapping member 100 may be additively manufactured with the spring members 128, 130 to form a uni-body/integral construction that enhances manufacturability and fatigue resistance.

Set forth below are some embodiments of the foregoing disclosure:

Embodiment 1. An inflow control device (ICD) comprising: an inlet; an outlet spaced from the inlet; and a flapping member arranged between the inlet and the outlet, the flapping member being responsive to vortex induced vibrations to selectively exclude at least one fluid from passing through the outlet.

Embodiment 2. The ICD according to any prior embodiment, further comprising: a flow channel having a first side wall, a second side wall, and a base wall joining the first side wall and the second side wall, the flapping member being pivotally suspended between the first and second side walls.

Embodiment 3. The ICD according to any prior embodiment, wherein the flapping member includes a first side, an opposing second side, a rounded leading edge extending between the first side and the second side and a valve portion extending from the rounded leading edge.

Embodiment 4. The ICD according to any prior embodiment, wherein the flapping member includes a first pin extending from the first side into the first side wall and a second pin extending from the second side into the second side wall, the first and second pins pivotally supporting the flapping member between the first and second side walls.

Embodiment 5. The ICD according to any prior embodiment, further comprising: a spring member mounted to one of the first pin and the second pin, the spring member biasing the flapping member to a neutral position.

Embodiment 6. The ICD according to any prior embodiment, wherein the spring member is positioned between the one of the first side wall and the second side wall and the corresponding one of the first side and the second side.

Embodiment 7. The ICD according to any prior embodiment, wherein the inlet is defined between the first side wall and the second side wall and the outlet is defined in the base wall.

Embodiment 8. The ICD according to any prior embodiment, wherein the flapping member includes an airfoil-shaped cross-section.

Embodiment 9. A resource exploration and recovery system comprising: a surface system; and a sub-surface system including a tubular string fluidically connected to the surface system, the tubular string including an inflow control device (ICD) that restricts inflow of one fluid in preference for another fluid, the ICD including: an inlet; an outlet spaced from the inlet; and a flapping member arranged between the inlet and the outlet, the flapping member being responsive to vortex induced vibrations to selectively exclude at least one fluid from passing through the outlet.

Embodiment 10. The resource exploration and recovery system according to any prior embodiment, further comprising: a flow channel having a first side wall, a second side wall, and a base wall joining the first side wall and the second side wall, the flapping member being pivotally suspended between the first and second side walls.

Embodiment 11. The resource exploration and recovery system according to any prior embodiment, wherein the flapping member includes a first side, an opposing second side, a rounded leading edge extending between the first side and the second side, and a valve portion extending from the rounded leading edge.

Embodiment 12. The resource exploration and recovery system according to any prior embodiment, wherein the flapping member includes a first pin extending from the first side into the first side wall and a second pin extending from the second side into the second side wall, the first and second pins pivotally supporting the flapping member between the first and second side walls.

Embodiment 13. The resource exploration and recovery system according to any prior embodiment, further comprising: a spring member mounted to one of the first pin and the second pin, the spring member biasing the flapping member to a neutral position.

Embodiment 14. The resource exploration and recovery system according to any prior embodiment, wherein the spring member is positioned between the one of the first side wall and the second side wall and the corresponding one of the first side and the second side.

Embodiment 15. The resource exploration and recovery system according to any prior embodiment, wherein the inlet is defined between the first side wall and the second side wall and the outlet is defined in the base wall.

Embodiment 16. The resource exploration and recovery system according to any prior embodiment, wherein the flapping member includes an airfoil-shaped cross-section.

Embodiment 17. A method of passing a selected fluid from an inlet to an outlet of an inflow control device (ICD) comprising: passing a non-selected fluid into the inlet of the ICD; flowing the non-selected fluid over a flapping member positioned downstream of the inlet; inducing a vortex induced vibration of the flapping member with the non-selected fluid; and pivoting the flapping member at a selected frequency to inhibit the non-selected fluid passing to the outlet of the ICD.

Embodiment 18. The method according to any prior embodiment, further comprising: biasing the flapping member to a neutral position with a spring.

Embodiment 19. The method according to any prior embodiment, further comprising: passing a selected fluid over the flapping member; and maintaining the flapping member in the neutral position thereby allowing the selected fluid to flow to the outlet.

Embodiment 20. The method according to any prior embodiment, wherein passing the non-selected fluid includes flowing a water-based fluid over the flapping member.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. Further, it should be noted that the terms “first,” “second,” and the like herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another.

The terms “about” and “substantially” are intended to include the degree of error associated with measurement of the particular quantity based upon the equipment available at the time of filing the application. For example, “about” and/or “substantially” can include a range of ±8% or 5%, or 2% of a given value.

The teachings of the present disclosure may be used in a variety of well operations. These operations may involve using one or more treatment agents to treat a formation, the fluids resident in a formation, a wellbore, and/or equipment in the wellbore, such as production tubing. The treatment agents may be in the form of liquids, gases, solids, semi-solids, and mixtures thereof. Illustrative treatment agents include, but are not limited to, fracturing fluids, acids, steam, water, brine, anti-corrosion agents, cement, permeability modifiers, drilling muds, emulsifiers, demulsifiers, tracers, flow improvers etc. Illustrative well operations include, but are not limited to, hydraulic fracturing, stimulation, tracer injection, cleaning, acidizing, steam injection, water flooding, cementing, etc.

While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment or embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims. Also, in the drawings and the description, there have been disclosed exemplary embodiments of the invention and, although specific terms may have been employed, they are unless otherwise stated used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention therefore not being so limited. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An inflow control device (ICD) comprising: an inlet; an outlet spaced from the inlet; and a flapping member arranged between the inlet and the outlet, the flapping member being responsive to vortex induced vibrations to selectively exclude at least one fluid from passing through the outlet.
 2. The ICD according to claim 1, further comprising: a flow channel having a first side wall, a second side wall, and a base wall joining the first side wall and the second side wall, the flapping member being pivotally suspended between the first and second side walls.
 3. The ICD according to claim 2, wherein the flapping member includes a first side, an opposing second side, a rounded leading edge extending between the first side and the second side and a valve portion extending from the rounded leading edge.
 4. The ICD according to claim 3, wherein the flapping member includes a first pin extending from the first side into the first side wall and a second pin extending from the second side into the second side wall, the first and second pins pivotally supporting the flapping member between the first and second side walls.
 5. The ICD according to claim 4, further comprising: a spring member mounted to one of the first pin and the second pin, the spring member biasing the flapping member to a neutral position.
 6. The ICD according to claim 5, wherein the spring member is positioned between the one of the first side wall and the second side wall and the corresponding one of the first side and the second side.
 7. The ICD according to claim 3, wherein the inlet is defined between the first side wall and the second side wall and the outlet is defined in the base wall.
 8. The ICD according to claim 1, wherein the flapping member includes an airfoil-shaped cross-section.
 9. A resource exploration and recovery system comprising: a surface system; and a sub-surface system including a tubular string fluidically connected to the surface system, the tubular string including an inflow control device (ICD) that restricts inflow of one fluid in preference for another fluid, the ICD including: an inlet; an outlet spaced from the inlet; and a flapping member arranged between the inlet and the outlet, the flapping member being responsive to vortex induced vibrations to selectively exclude at least one fluid from passing through the outlet.
 10. The resource exploration and recovery system according to claim 9, further comprising: a flow channel having a first side wall, a second side wall, and a base wall joining the first side wall and the second side wall, the flapping member being pivotally suspended between the first and second side walls.
 11. The resource exploration and recovery system according to claim 10, wherein the flapping member includes a first side, an opposing second side, a rounded leading edge extending between the first side and the second side, and a valve portion extending from the rounded leading edge.
 12. The resource exploration and recovery system according to claim 11, wherein the flapping member includes a first pin extending from the first side into the first side wall and a second pin extending from the second side into the second side wall, the first and second pins pivotally supporting the flapping member between the first and second side walls.
 13. The resource exploration and recovery system according to claim 12, further comprising: a spring member mounted to one of the first pin and the second pin, the spring member biasing the flapping member to a neutral position.
 14. The resource exploration and recovery system according to claim 13, wherein the spring member is positioned between the one of the first side wall and the second side wall and the corresponding one of the first side and the second side.
 15. The resource exploration and recovery system according to claim 11, wherein the inlet is defined between the first side wall and the second side wall and the outlet is defined in the base wall.
 16. The resource exploration and recovery system according to claim 9, wherein the flapping member includes an airfoil-shaped cross-section.
 17. A method of passing a selected fluid from an inlet to an outlet of an inflow control device (ICD) comprising: passing a non-selected fluid into the inlet of the ICD; flowing the non-selected fluid over a flapping member positioned downstream of the inlet; inducing a vortex induced vibration of the flapping member with the non-selected fluid; and pivoting the flapping member at a selected frequency to inhibit the non-selected fluid passing to the outlet of the ICD.
 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising: biasing the flapping member to a neutral position with a spring.
 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising: passing a selected fluid over the flapping member; and maintaining the flapping member in the neutral position thereby allowing the selected fluid to flow to the outlet.
 20. The method of claim 18, wherein passing the non-selected fluid includes flowing a water-based fluid over the flapping member. 